U.S. patent number 11,324,250 [Application Number 16/767,469] was granted by the patent office on 2022-05-10 for device for inspecting smoking articles.
This patent grant is currently assigned to G.D S.P.A.. The grantee listed for this patent is G.D S.P.A.. Invention is credited to Marco Esposti, Luca Federici, Giuliano Gamberini, Ivano Montoleone, Daniele Salvadeo.
United States Patent |
11,324,250 |
Esposti , et al. |
May 10, 2022 |
Device for inspecting smoking articles
Abstract
An inspection device for the quality control of rod-shaped
smoking articles includes a drum and an inspection assembly. Each
transfer drum has a succession of peripheral retaining portions,
each having a retaining groove aligned with the axis of rotation of
the transfer drum and configured to receive a respective smoking
article to be inspected. Each inspection assembly, which is
rotatable about the axis of rotation of the transfer drum, is
equipped with a succession of detectors. Each detector has a cavity
configured to insertably receive an end portion of the respective
smoking article to be inspected and is equipped with a sensor
adapted to detect an internal structure within the smoking article.
The inspection device also comprises a movement device configured
to move each peripheral retaining portion and the corresponding
detector reciprocatingly towards and away from each other during
the rotation of the transfer drum.
Inventors: |
Esposti; Marco (Casalecchio di
Reno, IT), Salvadeo; Daniele (Monte San Pietro,
IT), Montoleone; Ivano (Pianoro, IT),
Gamberini; Giuliano (Crevalcore, IT), Federici;
Luca (Bologna, IT) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
G.D S.P.A. |
Bologna |
N/A |
IT |
|
|
Assignee: |
G.D S.P.A. (Bologna,
IT)
|
Family
ID: |
1000006298125 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/767,469 |
Filed: |
November 28, 2018 |
PCT
Filed: |
November 28, 2018 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/IB2018/059415 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
May 27, 2020 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2019/106569 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
June 06, 2019 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20210000163 A1 |
Jan 7, 2021 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
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|
|
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Nov 30, 2017 [IT] |
|
|
102017000137830 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24C
5/3412 (20130101); A24C 5/322 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A24C
5/34 (20060101); A24C 5/32 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1671304 |
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Sep 2005 |
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CN |
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1787752 |
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Jun 2006 |
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CN |
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201488706 |
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May 2010 |
|
CN |
|
104041937 |
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Sep 2014 |
|
CN |
|
104287086 |
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Jan 2015 |
|
CN |
|
205333018 |
|
Jun 2016 |
|
CN |
|
106455677 |
|
Feb 2017 |
|
CN |
|
102013213936 |
|
Jan 2015 |
|
DE |
|
1623635 |
|
Feb 2006 |
|
EP |
|
2247990 |
|
May 1975 |
|
FR |
|
Other References
International Search Report dated Feb. 25, 2019 from counterpart
PCT App No. PCT/IB2018/059415. cited by applicant .
Chinese Office Action dated Aug. 11, 2021 from counterpart Chinese
Patent Application No. 201880077506.9. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Yaary; Eric
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, PLC
Klima; Timothy J.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An inspection device for quality control of rod-shaped smoking
articles, comprising: at least one transfer drum having a
succession of peripheral retaining portions, each peripheral
retaining portion having at least one retaining groove aligned with
an axis of rotation of the at least one transfer drum and
configured to receive a respective smoking article to be inspected;
at least one inspection assembly rotatable about the axis of
rotation of the at least one transfer drum and provided with a
succession of electric or electromagnetic detectors disposed in
such a way that each detector is aligned or alignable with a
smoking article held in a corresponding retaining groove, each
detector having a cavity configured to insertably receive an end
portion of the respective smoking article to be inspected and being
equipped with a sensor adapted to non-destructively detect defects,
extraneous bodies, hollows or other imperfections or flaws in the
filling of the respective smoking article, movement means
configured to move each peripheral retaining portion and the
corresponding detector reciprocatingly towards and away from each
other during the rotation of the at least one transfer drum.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral
retaining portions and/or the detectors are associated with
respective straight guides parallel to the axis of the at least one
transfer drum and wherein the movement means operate on each
peripheral retaining portion and/or on each detector to move the
peripheral retaining portion and/or the detector along the
respective straight guide.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the detectors of each
of the at least one inspection assembly are divided into groups in
such a way that the detectors of each group are moved
simultaneously by the movement means, each group comprising two
detectors.
4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the movement means
comprise, for each peripheral retaining portion and/or for each
detector or group of detectors, a drive rod which is slidable in a
respective straight guide and a respective cam mechanism acting
between the drive rod and a common track defined by a stationary
hub in such a way that during the rotation of the at least one
transfer drum, the cam mechanism causes a to-and-fro translational
movement of the drive rod.
5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the stationary hub is
disposed around the axis of the at least one transfer drum and has
internally an axial cavity within which a transmission shaft is
rotatably disposed, the transmission shaft being rotatably
connected to the peripheral retaining portions and to the at least
one inspection assembly.
6. The device according to claim 1, wherein each detector comprises
at least one of the following: a capacitive sensor, an inductive
sensor, an optical sensor, a microwave sensor, an X-ray sensor.
7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
inspection assembly comprises two inspection assemblies axially
spaced along the axis of rotation of the at least one transfer drum
to operate on opposite ends of the smoking articles held in the
retaining grooves of the peripheral retaining portions.
8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the movement means
operate on each detector to move the detector towards and away from
a respective peripheral retaining portion during the rotation of
the at least one transfer drum, the peripheral retaining portion
being preferably axially stationary during the rotation of the at
least one transfer drum.
9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the movement means
operate on each peripheral retaining portion to move the peripheral
retaining portion towards and away from a respective detector
during the rotation of the at least one transfer drum, the detector
being preferably axially stationary during the rotation of the at
least one transfer drum.
10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the movement means are
configured to move each peripheral retaining portion and/or each
detector between a pickup/release position where the peripheral
retaining portion is distal from each detector so as to be able to
pick up/release a smoking article, and an inspection position where
the peripheral retaining portion is proximal to a detector so that
the smoking article in that peripheral retaining portion is at
least partly inserted in the cavity of the detector.
11. The device according to claim 1, comprising: wherein the at
least one transfer drum includes a first transfer drum and a second
transfer drum; wherein the at least one inspection assembly
inicludes a first inspection assembly and a second inspection
assembly; the first transfer drum having a succession of the
peripheral retaining portions, each peripheral retaining portion
having at least one of the at least one retaining groove aligned
with the axis of rotation of the first transfer drum and configured
to receive the respective smoking article to be inspected; the
first inspection assembly rotatable about the axis of rotation of
the first transfer drum and provided with a succession of the
detectors disposed in such a way that each detector is aligned or
alignable with the respective smoking article held in the
corresponding retaining groove of the first transfer drum, each
detector having a cavity configured to insertably receive a first
end portion of the respective smoking article to be inspected and
being equipped with the sensor adapted to non-destructively detect
defects, extraneous bodies, hollows or other imperfections or flaws
in the filling of the respective smoking article; the second
transfer drum having a succession of the peripheral retaining
portions, each peripheral retaining portion having at least one of
the at least one retaining groove aligned with the axis of rotation
of the second transfer drum and configured to receive the
respective smoking article to be inspected; the second inspection
assembly rotatable about the axis of rotation of the second
transfer drum and provided with a succession of the detectors
disposed in such a way that each detector is aligned or alignable
with the respective smoking article held in the corresponding
retaining groove of the second transfer drum, each detector having
a cavity configured to insertably receive a second end portion of
the respective smoking article to be inspected and being equipped
with the sensor adapted to non-destructively detect defects,
extraneous bodies, hollows or other imperfections or flaws in the
filling of the respective smoking article; wherein the first and
second transfer drums are substantially tangent to each other in
order to transfer a succession of the smoking articles from the
retaining grooves of the first transfer drum to the retaining
grooves of the second transfer drum, wherein the first and second
inspection assemblies are disposed in such a way as to inspect
opposite ends of the smoking articles held in the retaining
grooves, and for each of the first and second transfer drums or
each first and second inspection assemblies, a respective one of
the movement means configured to move each peripheral retaining
portion and the corresponding detector reciprocatingly towards and
away from each other during the rotation of the first/second
transfer drum.
12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the movement means
operate on the peripheral retaining portions to axially move the
peripheral retaining portions relative to the respective first and
second inspection assemblies, the first and second inspection
assemblies being axially stationary during the rotation of the
respective one of the first and second transfer drums.
13. The device according to claim 11, wherein each respective
smoking article is greater in length than the retaining grooves and
is held in the corresponding retaining groove of the first transfer
drum at a first end portion of the smoking article opposite to the
first inspection assembly, and is held in the corresponding
retaining groove of the second transfer drum at a second end
portion of the smoking article opposite to the first end portion
and to the second inspection assembly.
Description
This application is the National Phase of International Application
PCT/IB2018/059415 filed Nov. 28, 2018 which designated the U.S.
This application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No.
102017000137830 filed Nov. 30, 2017, which application is
incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a device for inspecting smoking articles
and, in particular, for the quality control of rod-shaped smoking
articles, comprising one or more uniform or non-uniform segments of
filter and/or tobacco, for example.
In the context of this invention, the term "inspection" is used to
denote checking the internal state of the rod-shaped article by
causing the entire transverse cross of the article to be traversed
by radiation (capacitive, inductive, optical, microwave, X-ray,
laser systems).
The term "radiation" implies the use of electrical or
electromagnetic energy and excludes tests of a mechanical/pneumatic
nature.
BACKGROUND ART
During the production of smoking articles, it is highly
advantageous to be able to perform in-process quality control so as
to ensure that the product being made is free of defects,
extraneous bodies, hollows or other flaws or imperfections which
might make it non-marketable once it has been converted into a
finished product.
Known in this field are in-process inspection systems capable of
checking the quality of a smoking article during its production
process.
The Applicant has found, however, that such systems have
considerable operational disadvantages which make them very
inefficient in the performance of their functions.
In particular, some prior art systems are based on fixed camera
detection systems which capture one or more external images of the
article.
These systems check only the external surface of the smoking
article and, although capable of detecting structural defects and
damage to some portions of its exterior, they cannot analyse, or
provide any information on, its internal structure.
Also known are pneumatic systems capable of taking measurements of
an internal portion of the smoking article. These systems, however,
operate by negative air pressure which, when applied to one end of
the smoking article, allows checking the smoking article for
correct permeability and ventilation properties.
In particular, the air sucked in flows along at least one stretch
of the smoking article and exits through the end to which the
pneumatic suction unit is applied.
This type of device, however, is not versatile and not very useful
for checking other internal properties or inclusions of the smoking
article.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In this context, the technical purpose which forms the basis of the
present invention is to propose a device for inspecting smoking
articles to overcome at least some of the above mentioned
disadvantages of the prior art.
More specifically, the aim of this invention is to provide a device
for inspecting smoking articles capable of analysing the quality of
a smoking article efficiently and non-invasively, such as not to
destroy the structural integrity of the smoking articles while it
is being analysed.
Another aim of the invention is to provide a device for inspecting
smoking articles which is versatile and capable of detecting
defects, extraneous bodies, hollows or other flaws or imperfections
in the filling of a smoking article independently of the special
features of the elements making up the smoking article.
The technical purpose indicated and the aims specified are
substantially achieved by a device for inspecting smoking articles
comprising the technical features described in one or more of the
appended claims.
Accordingly disclosed herein is an inspection device for the
quality control of smoking articles comprising at least one
transfer drum and at least one inspection assembly.
The transfer drum has a succession of peripheral retaining
portions, each of which has at least one retaining groove aligned
with the axis of rotation of the transfer drum and is configured to
receive a respective smoking article to be inspected.
The inspection assembly is rotatable about the axis of rotation of
the transfer drum and is equipped with a succession of
detectors.
Each detector has a cavity configured to insertably receive an end
portion of the respective smoking article to be inspected and is
equipped with a sensor adapted to detect an internal structure
within the smoking article.
The inspection device also comprises movement means configured to
move each peripheral retaining portion and the corresponding
detector reciprocatingly towards and away from each other during
the rotation of the transfer drum.
Advantageously, the particular structure of the inspection device
according to this invention allows the quality also of the internal
structure of the smoking articles to be checked in process,
non-invasively and non-destructively.
The dependent claims, which are incorporated herein by reference,
correspond to different embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further features of the invention and its advantages are more
apparent in the non-limiting description below, with reference to a
preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a device for inspecting
smoking articles, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in
which:
FIG. 1 is a cross-section of the inspection device in accordance
with this invention;
FIGS. 1A-1B are detail views showing some of the components of FIG.
1;
FIG. 2 is a cross section of a further possible embodiment of the
inspection device;
FIG. 3 is a cross section of a further possible embodiment of the
inspection device;
FIG. 4 is a cross section of a further possible embodiment of the
inspection device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes
in its entirety an inspection device adapted to check the quality
of smoking articles "A", in particular rod-shaped smoking
articles.
The inspection device 1 comprises at least one transfer drum 2 and
at least one inspection assembly 3 rotatable about the axis of
rotation "X" of the transfer drum 2.
The transfer drum 2 has a succession of peripheral retaining
portions 4, each of which has at least one retaining groove 4a
aligned with the axis of rotation "X" of the transfer drum and
configured to receive a respective smoking article "A" to be
inspected.
It should be noted that the adjective "aligned" is used to mean
that the axis of each peripheral retaining portion is substantially
parallel to the axis of rotation "X" of the transfer drum 2.
In other words, the transfer drum 2 is configured to receive and
retain a succession of smoking articles "A" in respective retaining
grooves 4a disposed radially, preferably equispaced, around the
axis of rotation "X" of the transfer drum 2.
More specifically, each retaining groove 4a is configured to
receive a smoking article "A" from a station of a production line
upstream of the inspection device 1 and to hold it, for example
with suitable suction means located on the surface of the retaining
groove 4a itself, at least until the quality control procedure has
been completed, and then to release it to a station of the
production line downstream of the inspection device 1.
The inspection assembly 3 is provided with a succession of electric
or electromagnetic detectors 5 disposed in such a way that each
detector 5 is aligned or alignable with a smoking article "A" held
in a corresponding retaining groove 4a.
In particular, the term "electric or electromegnetic detectors" 5
is used to refer to detectors 5 which are capable of checking the
internal state of the article "A" by causing the entire transverse
cross of the article "A" to be traversed by radiation (capacitive,
inductive, optical, microwave, X-ray, laser systems).
The term "radiation" implies the use of electrical or
electromagnetic energy and excludes tests of a mechanical/pneumatic
nature. Each detector 5 has a cavity which is configured to
insertably receive an end portion "T" of the respective smoking
article "A" to be inspected.
Preferably, the end portion to be inspected is a filter,
specifically, the filter of a cigarette of single or double size,
as shown in the different embodiments of this invention.
Preferably, also, the cavity of each detector 5 is deep enough to
entirely or almost entirely accommodate the respective filter to be
inspected.
More specifically, each detector 5 is equipped with a sensor
(sensor emitter unit) adapted to non-destructively detect defects,
extraneous bodies, hollows or other imperfections or flaws in the
filling of the smoking article "A".
Preferably, each detector 5 comprises at least one of the
following: a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, an optical
sensor, a microwave sensor, an X-ray sensor.
The inspection device 1 also comprises movement means 6 configured
to move each peripheral retaining portion 4 and the corresponding
detector 5 reciprocatingly towards and away from each other during
the rotation of the transfer drum 2.
The movement means 6 allow moving each peripheral retaining portion
4 and/or each respective detector 5 towards or away from each other
in such a way that the end portion "T" of the smoking article "A"
is inserted into/extracted from the cavity of the detector 5.
The peripheral retaining portions 4 and/or the detectors 5 are also
associated with respective straight guides 7 parallel to the axis
"X" of the transfer drum 2 and the movement means 6 operate on each
peripheral retaining portion 4 and/or on each detector 5 to move
them along the respective straight guide 7.
That means each peripheral retaining portion 4 and the
corresponding detector 5 move towards and away from each other in a
direction parallel to the axis "X" of the drum 2.
Preferably, the detectors 5 are divided into groups in such a way
that the detectors 5 of each group are moved simultaneously by the
movement means 6, each group still more preferably comprising two
detectors 5.
In other words, the detectors 5 are divided into groups, each of
which is moved independently of the others; this feature makes it
possible to simplify the structure of the at least one inspection
assembly 3 and to also reduce the dimensions of the drive
components needed to move the detectors 5.
This feature also makes it possible to simplify the structure of
the transfer drum 2; in other words, the transfer drum can be made
in such a way as to be able to simultaneously move two or more
retaining grooves 4a.
In effect, each transfer portion 4 may comprise a plurality of
retaining grooves 4a in such a way that moving a single retaining
portion 4 simultaneously moves a plurality of smoking articles "A"
held in respective retaining grooves 4a of the retaining portion
4.
More specifically, each peripheral retaining portion 4 has at least
two retaining grooves 4a aligned with the axis of rotation "X" of
the transfer drum 2 and configured to receive a respective smoking
article "A" to be inspected.
Structurally, the movement means 6 comprise, for each peripheral
retaining portion 4 and/or for each detector 5 or group of
detectors 5 a drive rod 8 which is slidable in a respective
straight guide 7 and a respective cam mechanism 9, preferably
housed in a respective inspection assembly 3 acting between the
drive rod 8 and a common track defined by a stationary hub 10.
Thanks to this structure, the cam mechanism 9 causes the
translational to and fro movement of the drive rod 8 while the
transfer drum 2 is rotating.
More specifically, each drive rod 8, which extends parallel to the
axis of rotation "X" of the drum 2, is stably connected to one or
more cam follower elements (rollers 9a) engaged in the
aforementioned common track according to a cam coupling method.
The common track extends circumferentially all the way round the
axis of rotation "X" of the drum 2 and is non-planar in shape so
that at least one part of it is axially offset and each of the
rollers 9a is moved axially when it reaches the axially offset
zone.
To facilitate sliding in the straight guide 7, the part of the
drive rod 8 that is coupled to the straight guide 7 comprises a
plurality of ball bearings 8a, thus defining a rolling guide.
The stationary hub 10 is disposed around the axis of the transfer
drum 2 and has inside it an axial cavity within which a
transmission shaft 11 is rotatably disposed.
The transmission shaft 11 is rotatable as one with the transfer
drum 2 and with the at least one inspection assembly 3.
In other words, the transfer drum 2 and each inspection assembly 3
are attached to the transmission shaft 11 in such a way as to be
driven in rotation about the axis "X" of the transfer drum 2 when
the transmission shaft 11 rotates.
The stationary hub 10, on the other hand, is fixed, that is to say,
non-rotational, even and especially during the rotation of the
transmission shaft 11, so as to define a fixed common track for the
cam mechanism 9 in which the rollers 9a can slide in such a way as
to produce the aforementioned to and fro translational
movement.
Structurally, the stationary hub 10 and the transmission shaft 11
are therefore rotationally uncoupled by means of a plurality of
bearings 12 interposed between them, allowing the transmission
shaft 11 to rotate while the stationary hub 10 remains fixed.
Generally speaking, therefore, the movement means 6, which are
activated when the transmission shaft 11 rotates, are configured to
move each peripheral retaining portion 4 and/or each detector 5 or
group of detectors 5 between a pickup/release position where the
peripheral retaining portion 4 is distal from each detector 5 so as
to be able to pick up/release a smoking article "A"--for example,
from/to a processing station situated upstream/downstream of the
inspection device 1, and a detection position where the peripheral
retaining portion 4 is proximal to at least one detector 5 so that
the smoking article "A" in that supporting portion 4 is at least
partly inserted in the cavity of the detector 5.
Advantageously, the inspection device 1 may also comprise a control
unit "C" configured to receive a signal generated by the sensor of
a detector 5 when the end portion "T" of a smoking article "A" is
inserted into the cavity thereof.
In other words, when the end portion "T" is inside the cavity, the
sensor takes a measurement containing data regarding the internal
composition of the end portion "T" and transmits the data collected
to the control unit "C".
The control unit "C" may in turn either perform an initial analysis
of the signal received to assess the quality of the smoking article
"A" to determine whether or not it meets a plurality of
predetermined quality parameters, or it may re-transmit the data
collected to a further processing unit configured to process and
analyse the data.
This transmission of data from the control unit "C" to the fixed
processing unit is accomplished by at least one rotary, signal
transmission coupling "S" (or slip ring) mounted coaxially with the
shaft 11.
Advantageously, this and/or another rotary coupling "S" also allows
at least one detector 5 to be electrically powered.
In a first embodiment of the invention, shown in detail in FIG. 1,
the inspection device 1 comprises two inspection assemblies 3, 3'
axially spaced along the axis of rotation "X" of the transfer drum
2 to operate on opposite ends "T", "T" of the smoking articles "A"
held in the retaining grooves 4a.
In other words, the inspection device 1 is provided with two
inspection assemblies 3, 3' disposed to face each other on opposite
sides of the transfer drum 2 so that the peripheral retaining
portions 4 are interposed between each pair of detectors 5
belonging to respective inspection assemblies 3, 3'.
Thanks to this structure, when a smoking article "A" is held in a
respective retaining groove 4a, there are always two detectors 5
which are aligned or alignable with that retaining groove 4a on
opposite sides of the retaining groove 4a, so as to allow inserting
a first end portion "T" into the respective detector 5 of the first
inspection assembly 3 and a second end portion "T" into the
respective detector 5 of the second inspection assembly 3'.
Also in this embodiment, the movement means 6 operate on each
detector 5 to move it towards and away from a respective peripheral
retaining portion 4 during the rotation of the transfer drum 2, the
peripheral retaining portion 4 being preferably axially stationary
during the rotation of the transfer drum 2.
More specifically, during the rotation of the inspection device 1,
the transmission shaft 11 drives the transfer drum 2 and the two
inspection assemblies 3, 3' simultaneously in rotation.
The movement means 6 are associated with each detector 5 of the
inspection assemblies 3, 3' and the related cam mechanisms 9 slide
in the path that is delimited by the common track defined by the
stationary hub 10, so as to move the detectors 5 towards/away from
the transfer drum 2.
More specifically, the movement towards causes the end portions
"T", "T" of a smoking article "A" held in a retaining groove 4a of
the transfer drum 2 to be inserted into the cavities of respective
facing sensors 5 belonging to two inspection assemblies 3, 3' so
that both the end portions "T", "T" of the smoking article "A" can
be inspected simultaneously.
More specifically, it is preferable for the two detectors 5
associated with each peripheral retaining portion 4 to be moved
simultaneously towards and away from the peripheral retaining
portion 4 so that inspection is performed simultaneously.
Alternatively, in embodiments illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 2
and 3, the movement means 6 operate on each peripheral retaining
portion 4 to move it towards and away from a respective detector 5
during the rotation of the transfer drum 2, each detector 5 in such
an embodiment being preferably axially stationary during the
rotation of the transfer drum 2.
More specifically, in the embodiment illustrated in more detail in
FIG. 2, the inspection device comprises two inspection assemblies
3, 3' which are axially fixed and a transfer drum 2 whose
peripheral retaining portions 4 are, instead, axially movable.
The movement means 6 are associated with each peripheral retaining
portion 4 of the transfer drum 2 in such a way as to move them
axially, causing sequential insertion of each end "T", "T" of a
smoking article "A" held in a respective retaining groove 4a first
into the cavity of a sensor 5 of the first inspection assembly 3
and then into the cavity of a sensor 5 of the second inspection
assembly 3'.
In the specific case where only one end portion "T" of the smoking
article "A" needs to be inspected, as shown in more detail in FIG.
3, the inspection device may comprise only one axially fixed
inspection assembly 3, aligned or alignable with the end portion
"T" of the smoking article "A" to be inspected.
According to this embodiment, the movement means 6 cause each
peripheral retaining portion 4 to be moved closer to a respective
sensor 5, thus inserting the end portion "T" to be inspected into
the cavity of the sensor 5.
Once the measurement has been taken, the movement means 6 cause
each peripheral retaining portion 4 to be moved away from a
respective sensor 5, thus extracting the inspected end portion "T"
from the cavity of the sensor 5.
Thus, with reference to a use configuration applicable in general
to the embodiments described up to here, the inspection device is
configured to receive at least one smoking article "A" from the
transfer drum 2 and more precisely, from a retaining groove 4a.
Next, the movement means 6 move the peripheral retaining portion 4,
provided with the retaining groove 4a which holds the smoking
article "A", and the detector 5 aligned therewith towards each
other during the rotation of the transfer drum 2 in such a way that
the end portion "T" of the smoking article "A" is inserted into the
cavity of the detector 5.
This relative movement may be obtained either by moving each
peripheral retaining portion 4 relative to a respective, axially
fixed detector 5 or by moving each detector 5 relative to a
respective, axially fixed peripheral retaining portion 4.
At this point, the sensor of the detector 5 analyses the internal
structure of the end portion "T" of the smoking article "A" in such
a way as to non-destructively detect defects, extraneous bodies,
hollows or other imperfections or flaws in the filling of the
smoking article "A".
The information received from the sensor, whether it is processed
directly by a control unit "C" mounted on board the inspection
device 1 or used by an external processing unit, allows deciding
whether the smoking article "A" meets one or more predetermined
quality parameters and is thus suitable for marketing or must,
instead, be rejected because it does not meet these quality
parameters.
The quality parameters may be selected from at least one of the
following: presence and/or integrity of additional elements inside
the filter, filling factor (absence of hollows), density, humidity
or others.
After that, the movement means 6 move the peripheral retaining
portion 4, provided with the retaining groove 4a which holds the
smoking article "A", and the detector 5 aligned therewith away from
each other in such a way that the end portion "T" of the smoking
article "A" is extracted from the cavity of the detector 5.
At this point, the smoking article "A" can be transferred from the
transfer drum 2 to a subsequent processing station, situated
downstream of the inspection device 1, where, depending on the
outcome of the measurement taken by the detector 5, it will be
rejected or will proceed in the production process to become part
of a marketable finished product.
FIG. 4, on the other hand, shows a possible alternative embodiment
which comprises two transfer drums 2, 2' and two inspection
assemblies 3, 3'.
More specifically, in this embodiment, the inspection device 1
comprises a first and a second transfer drum 2, 2' associated with
a first and a second inspection assembly 3, 3', respectively.
The transfer drums 2, 2' each have a succession of peripheral
retaining portions 4, each of which has at least one retaining
groove 4a aligned with the axis of rotation "X", "X'" of the
respective transfer drum 2, 2' it belongs to and configured to
receive a respective smoking article "A" to be inspected.
The inspection assemblies 3, 3' are rotatable about the axis of
rotation "X", "X'" of the respective transfer drum 2, 2' and are
each provided with a succession of detectors 5 disposed in such a
way that each detector 5, 5' is aligned or alignable with a smoking
article "A" held in a corresponding retaining groove 4 of the
respective transfer drum 2, 2'.
Each detector 5 has a cavity configured to insertably receive an
end portion "T" of the respective smoking article "A" to be
inspected and is equipped with a sensor adapted to
non-destructively detect defects, extraneous bodies, hollows or
other flaws or imperfections in the filling of the smoking article
"A".
Furthermore, the first and second drums 2, 2' are substantially
tangent to each other in order to transfer a succession of smoking
articles "A" from the retaining grooves 4 of the first transfer
drum 2 to the retaining grooves 4 of the second transfer drum
2'.
More specifically, the first and second inspection assemblies 3, 3'
are disposed in such a way as to inspect opposite ends of the
smoking articles (A) held in the peripheral retaining grooves
4.
To enable it to move and function correctly, the inspection device
1 also comprises, for each transfer drum 2, 2', respective movement
means 6 configured to move each peripheral retaining portion 4 and
the corresponding detectors 5 aligned or alignable therewith
reciprocatingly towards and away from each other during the
rotation of the transfer drums 2, 2'.
More specifically, the movement means 6 operate on the peripheral
retaining portions 4 to axially move them relative to the
respective inspection assemblies 3, 3', which are preferably
axially stationary during the rotation of the respective transfer
drum 3, 3'.
More in detail, in use, the first transfer drum 2 receives in one
of its retaining grooves 4a a smoking article "A" from a processing
station situated upstream of the inspection device.
The movement means 6 associated with the peripheral retaining
portion 4 provided with the retaining groove 4a holding that
smoking article "A" start moving the peripheral retaining portion 4
towards the first inspection assembly 3, causing the first end
portion "T" of the smoking article "A" to be inserted into the
cavity of a respective sensor 5 belonging to the first inspection
assembly 3.
At this point, it is thus possible to inspect the first end portion
"T" of the smoking article "A".
A subsequent movement of the peripheral retaining portion 4 away
from the first inspection assembly 3 causes the first end portion
"T" of the smoking article "A" to be extracted from the cavity of
the sensor 5, bringing the peripheral retaining portion back to the
pickup/release position.
The smoking article "A" is then transferred from the first transfer
drum 2 to the second transfer drum 2', thus passing into another
retaining groove 4a, which is also at the pickup/release
position.
Next, the movement means 6 of the second transfer drum 2' move the
peripheral retaining portion 4 which is provided with the retaining
groove 4a holding the smoking article "A" to be inspected and bring
that peripheral retaining portion 4 to the inspection position:
that is to say, cause it to move towards the second inspection
assembly 3'.
That way, the second end portion "T" of the smoking article "A" is
inserted into the cavity of a respective sensor 5 belonging to the
second inspection assembly 3'.
Once inspection of the internal structure of the second end potion
"T" of the smoking article "A" has been completed, the movement
means 6 move the peripheral retaining portion 4 away from the
second inspection assembly 3', causing the second end portion "T"
of the smoking article "A" to be extracted from the cavity of the
sensor 5, bringing the peripheral retaining portion 4 back to the
pickup/release position.
When the inspection procedure is over, the inspected smoking
article "A" can be released to a processing station situated
downstream of the inspection device 1.
In order to optimize the inspection process and improve the
efficiency of the transfer process, each smoking article "A" is
greater in length than the retaining grooves 4 and is held in a
respective retaining groove 4a of the first transfer drum 2 at a
first end portion "T" of the smoking article "A" opposite to the
first inspection assembly 3.
In the same way, the smoking article "A" is held in a respective
retaining groove 4a of the second transfer drum 2' at a second end
portion "T" of the smoking article "A" opposite to the first end
portion "T" and to the second inspection assembly 3'.
Advantageously, the inspection device 1 according to this invention
allows the quality of the internal structure of a smoking article
"A" to be checked non-invasively and non-destructively.
Moreover, thanks to the wide range of inspections that can be
carried out, the device is versatile and applicable to the
inspection of several parameters and/or properties of the smoking
articles.
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